Internal-combustion engine.



P. 1. M. SULLIVAN. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

1 1 9 6 0w u A r I I we'wt a GHQ/M4213 4 PATRICK J.- MONAHAN' snnmvim, or

wooDcLIF-FE-oN-HUnsom NEW siensnr ASSIGNOR T MONAHAN ROTARY ENGINE CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

A CORPORATION OF NE VV YORK.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

' Application filcd lE'ebruary To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PATRICK J. MONAHAN SULLIVAN, acitizen of the United States, and resident-f Woodclifie-on-Hudson, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and use- Engines, of which the following is aspecification. V 4

In my prior application, Serial No. 101,011,

filed June 1st, 1916, I have disclosed an en:

7 cylinder are carriedbyoidentic throng cranks of separate crank shafts geared togdzlier for opposite rotation at the same speed. The invention disclosed in said application is generically claimed in my companion applications,'Serial Nos. 204,575 and 204,57 filed November 30th, 1917, leaving themore specific claims for the earlier application above referred-to. v y w My present invention relates to an engine of this general type of construction and has for its main object to secure a greater and more uniform application of power without the necessity of using more cranks or crank shafts than are employed 1n the specific construction illustrated in the application above referred to. Q r i c Instead of us ng two f separate cranks to support the cylinder and maintain it atgall times in parallelism with; an initial posltion and providing a third crank for the piston, I, in my present construction, connect the two cranks to tlfie' piston mechanism to hold! it in parallelism with the'initial position,

and connect the third crank to the cylinder mechanism. By means of a plurality of piston faces operable within corresponding cylinder portions or ehambers, an increased number of power strokes may be produced in respect to the number of crank shaft revonected or secured to'separate crank shafts lutions. A single doubleen'ded cylinder may be provided with a double faced piston therein, or two separatecylinders, rigidly ful Improvements in InternaLQombustion 1 2, 917. Serial a 148,057.

arate doubl -ended cylinders rigidly con, nected an ipon'op'posite sides of a crank shaft carrying the sameand in thetwo sep-' arate cylinders, are separate double-ended Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

pistons mounted for movement together in the same direction which is the opposite direction to that of the movement of the cylinders. v 3 Byineans ofthisconstructi'on, a power stroke may begin at the end of each half crank shaft revolution and therefore a substantially uniform application of power secured even though the engine operate on the four-stroke cycle principle. Q

As all of the movableparts travel along circular paths; it is evident that all jar, shock, or vibration resulting from the end den stopping-and starting of pistons, conystroke, are eliminated. p

' As the pistons move in one direction in respect to the center of mass of the engine at the same time the cylinders are moving in the opposite direction in respect to the center. of mass, it is evident that by properly proportionin'g' the, weight of these parts, a balance is secured which aids in preventing nectingrods or other parts atjthe end of a' or reducing the transmission ofvibration 4 -or jarto the frame or base. The bodily movement of the cylinders facilitates their cooling ating 'necessity for the more complicated and expensive watercooling commonly employed g'ines.

As the. power stroke is produced in one that compressionis being produced in the and renders a simple system of radi-. H8 or flanges eiiicient and. avoids the i with fast runninginternal combustion enk end of one cylinder during the same time cushionthe movement resultingv from the power stroke and this also aidsin securing a des red reduction nstrams and ars, and

1 the facilitating of smooth rapid operation.

connected and upon opposite sides of the As the cylinders and pistons movem opposupporting'cran k shaft, may receive separate pistons, thelatter being either rigidly con- -site direotions, the range of movement of each is only hal what it would bewere one stationary and the other reciprocatory,and c several combustion chambers,

therefore the crank shafts may be made lighten'the cranks of only one-quarter the total effective length of a stroke, and the centrifugal force of the parts rotating about fixed centers materially reduced.

As a further important feature of my present construction, I provide a tube mounted on and bodily movable with'the cylinders and serving for the delivery of fuel charge to or exhaust-gas from the several explosion chambers. The tube has ports in its walls corresponding to ports in the and for controlling the flow of gas through said ports, I preferably, as a further important feature of my invention,continuously rotate said tubes so that the ports come into and out of registry at the proper time. Reference. is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which acters indicate corresponding parts in the two views. In these drawings,

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section in the plane of the crank shafts, and

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section in a plane at right angles thereto. a

In the specific construction illustrated, three crank shafts 10.11, and 12 are mounted in any suitable form of frame orbase 13. and in parallel bearings. These three shafts are provided with any suitableform of gearing, whereby the two endshafts 10 and 12 will rotate in the samedirectionand at the same speed while the center shaft 11 of such gearing,

will rotate at the same speed, but inthe opposite direction. Merely as an example I have shown three gears 14, 15 and 16, all of the same size andfdisposed in intermeshing'relation in Thisismerely one example of gcaringsuitable for the purpose.

The three shafts have cranks 17 18 and 19 of equal meshed that the cranks 17 and 19 of the two end shafts always extend in the same direction from their respective axes and at 180 from the direction in which the crank 18 extends. The gearing serves to maintain this relationship of the cranks at all times although to equalize the strain on the two endcranks and. to better transmit the load from .the end where compression has taken F place to t e. end where the explosion has taken p a-r e, the two cranks 17 and 19 may be rigidly connected by links or any other suitable means. As shown, I provide two links 20, each having a hearing at each end and rcce1v1ng two. cranks. These may be offset intermediate h1? their endslor the crank 18 may be made shorter than the cranks 17 and 1 or both expedients may be utilized to brie-1 the center portions of the links beyond tltends of the crank 18. The

similar reference charthe same plane, one gear being mounted on each shaft.-

throw and the gearing is so.

said center portions may have slots receiving the shaft 11 and permitting cf the endwise and up-and-down movement of the links.

The center link 18 carries two double ended cylinders 21 and 22 whichare held in parallelism by two pistons 23 and 2-1 disposed therein and mounted on the cranks 17 and 19. The two cylinders. have separate working chambers at each end so that there are provided four working chambers 25, 26, 27 and'28, each having its inlet, outlet and ignition means. The pistons have working faces at opposite ends and are preferably substantially cranks 17 and 19. which latter extend through slots 29 in the sides of the cylinders. It will of course be evident that the two ends of each cylinder as shown might constitute separate cylinders and the four resulting cylinders rigidly connected in axial alinecounterbalanced on the ment to produce the same mechanical effect mounting the cylinders on the crank 18. As

shown, a central split block 30 has a bearing encircling the crank 18 and the block itself serves as a cylinder head for each of the cylinders and closes the ends ofthe two workirigchambers 26 and 2-7.

It will be noted that the two pistons 23 and 24: move together as though rigidly-connectcd and that when they move in one direction, the cylinders, which are also rigidly connected, move in the opposite die rection. Thus, the centers of mass of the pistons and cylinders move toward and from each other and maintain the center of mass V of the engine itself substantially constant."

The cylinders may have radiating 'fins or flanges, whereby they may be cooled and any sort of igfrition means,- such as spark plugs 31, may beemployed for igniting the charges, ,Even though the cylinders be moving, it is evident that the current may be properly delivered to said sparkpliigs by the usual flexible wiring.

As the two pistons move. direction. while the two cylinders are ni' ving together in the opposite directiomit evidentthat the two working chambers and 27 will increase in volume, while'the together in one v I working chambers 26 and 28 are decreasing in volume. By properly timing the supply of the explosive mixture to and the escape of exhaust gas from the cylinders, I may secure ..-an explosion and a corresponding power stroke for each half crank shaft revolntion. For instance with the parts in the position shown in thevd'rawing, theengine may have 311st completed ,an intake stroke in the chamber 25, an exhauststroke in the chamber 26, .an explosion stroke in the chamber 27. and a compression stroke in the chamber 28. If thishe the case, then the order of firing in the chambers would may serve to deliver fluid toeither end of progress lengthwise of thdengine from the chamber to the chamber 28 and 'for each explosion-in the 'chamber at one side of the v crank shaft, there will .be a compression in a chamber at tlie opposite'side of the crank shaft, and therefore each explosion is partially \cushioned by the accompanying conipre'ssion.

-For securing the deliveryxof explosive mixture to and the escape of exhaust gas from the cylinders, I may provided various means, but I. have designed one which con-- thcrewith. Each cylinderhas a portat each end communicating with each tube so that one tube, for instancethe'upper one 34,

I either cylinder and the exhaust gas from either end of either cylinder mayescape to thelower tube 35. Any suitable means for connecting a carbureter or other source of explosive mixture to the tube 34 may be provided and such means forms no portion-of my present invention. For instance,

a fleiiible hose, a hollow crank connection, or 'a-sliding telescoping pipe might be employed." 4 f The tube 35 may exhaust direct to the'air or may be connected in any suitable manner to 'a muiiier.

For controlling the flow of fluid from one tubeto the cylinders and from the cylinders to the other tube, I preferablymount the tubes 'sothat they may rotate and provide them with ports which may come into registry with corresponding ports in thecylinders at the proper time during the rotation. As shown, each tube passes through a plurality of casings, bearings or sleeve portions 36, one being disposed adjacent to each end of each cylinder and within these bearings are the portsin the cylinder wall. The tubes 34: and 35 have the different ports so. positioned angularly in respect to each other so that one. tube can only communicate with one working chamher at a time and will communicate with the four working chambers in succession during a complete rotation of the tube.

In order that the valves may properly op-. erate for a four-cycle engine, rotated by two-to-one gearing so that for each complete crank shaft rotation, each tube will make one-half a rotation about its own axis. A very. simple means for securingthis result is a helical gear 37 on the 37 and rigidly connected 34 and35 intermediate of theirends. It

In this construetight fit of thevalve tubes 34 and 35, the latter may have packing ringsor sleeves 40 each tube is,

crank 18 and meshing'at all times with two helical gears 38 of twice the size of' he gear j will be noted that these gears are not merely helical gears, butalso have certain .fun'oito the tyo tubes tions of a worm gear, as they rotate in;

planes at right angles to each other, As the tubes and their gears 38 are-carried bythe cyhndersand as the cylindera are carried by the crank 18', it will be evident that the proper intern'ieshing relationship of the gears will not be disturbed during bodily movement I of the cylindersand cranks. e

In ordcr to insure a substantially gasthercon within the bearing parts 36. 3 These sleeves or rings 40 may be removed or replaced in'case of'wear or may beexpansible v to properly-close the ports.

Having thus described my invention, what; I claim new and desire to secure by Let-- ters Patent is:

1. In combination, three crank 'shafts, p

2. In combination, three crank shafts,

connections whereby all of said crank shafts j rotateat the same speed, two in one direc-' tion and one in the other, a piston secured to the crank of each of the two crank shafts rotated in the same direction, and two cylin-- separate pistons connected to two of said crank shafts and carried thereby, and two rigidly connected cylinders carried bythe third crank shaft and receiving said pistons.

ders rigidly connected and carried by crank of the other crank shaft.

In combination, two double-ended cylinders in axial alinement, separate pistons within said cylinders, a crank shaft having its crank connecte'd -to said cylinders, and

separate-crank shaits', each having its crank connected to one of said pistons.

p combination, two double-ended cylinders 'in' lXlill alinement, separate pistons within said cylinders, agcrank shaft 1 having its crank connected to said cylinders,

separate crank shafts, each havingits crank connected to one of saidtpistons, and gearing insuring the simultaneous and opposite rotation of said crank shafts.

5. In combination; a centrally disposed crank shaft, a plurality of cylinders presenting twoseparate working chambers on one side of said crankshaft and two separate working chambers on the opposite side of.

said crank shaft, pistons within saidcylina ders, and means for bodily moving saidapistons in one direction and simultaneously moving said cylinders in the opposite direction. v

8. In combination, a pair of rigidly connected double-ended cylinders'in axial alinement, a'crank shaft having its crank connected to and bodily carrying said cylinders, separate pistons in said cylinders, and means for efi'ectinga movement of said pistons in respect to said cylinders during the rotation of said crank shaft.

7. In combination, a pair of parallel crank shafts having cranks of equal throw extending in the same direction, gearing for insuring simultaneous fand equal rotation of said crank. shafts, pistons bodily carried by said cranks, cylinders receiving said pistons, -and means for insuring bodily movement of said cylinders in respect to said pistons during the rotation of said crank shafts. 8. In combination, a bodily movable, A double-ended cylinder having a port at each end thereof, a tube extending lengthwise of said cylinder and bodily carried thereby, said tube having ports registering with the ports of said cylinder, and means for rotat ing said tube to bring said ports into and out of registry during said bodily movement of said cylinder.

9. Incombihation, a recipro'catory cylinder, having a port, a tube extending lengthwise thereof and having a port registering with the cylinder port, and means for rotating said tube to bring said ports into and out of registry during the reciprocation of said cylinder.

10'. In combination, a cylinder, means for imparting to. said cylinder a bodily movement in respect to an axis of rotation while retained in parallelism with an initial posi-' tion, a tube extending lengthwise of said cylinder and serving for the passage therethrough of gas, and means for rotating said tube to control the passage of gas to or from said cylinder.

11. In combination, three crank shafts disposed parallel and having cranks of equal throw, mechanism for insuring the simultaneous equal movement of two of said crank shafts in one direction and ofthe other in the opposite direction, piston mechanism connected to said two cranks, and cylinder mechanism connected to said other crank.

12. In combination, two double-ended cylinders in axial alinement and rigidly conshaft, a rotary valve carried by said cylinder; and gearing for rotating said valve, and including a gear men'iber secured to said valve and a gear member secured to and carried by one of said cranks.

14:. In combination, a cylinder, a piston, a crank shaft having 1ts crank secured to said cylinder for bodily moving the cylinder through a circular path during the rotation of theshaft, a rotary valve mounted on said cylinder, a gear secured to said valve, and a gear meshing therewith and carried by the crank of said shaft.

15. In combination, a double-ended cylinder, means for in'iparting a planetary mover ment thereto, a double-ended piston within said cylinder, means for imparting thereto a planetary movement in the opposite direction, a rotary valve carried by said cylinder, and gearing for efiecting the rotation of said valve by the bodily movement of said cylinder. e

16. In combination, a cylinder, a piston, a pair of crank shafts rotatable about parallel spaced axes, one having its crank secured tosaid cylinder, and the other having its crank secured to said piston, a rotary valve, and gearing connecting said valve and one of said cranks Signed at New York, inthe county of New York, and State of New York, this 9th day of February, A. D. 1917.

PATRICK J. remain snttivin. 

